Charging into electric transport
Energy Minister Bill Johnston visited the EV Expo in Perth this month to announce up to $12.5 million of funding to promote the rollout of EV charging infrastructure throughout the State.
The Charge Up Workplace EV Charging Grants target not for-profits, small and medium businesses, and local government authorities, with funding to cover up to 50 per cent of the cost to purchase and install an EV charger.
The funding includes AC chargers and faster DC chargers ranging from 7kW to 350kW.
Around $2.4 million in round one grants have been approved to install 403 chargers in 221 locations from Karratha to Albany, and around the Perth metropolitan area.
“Thanks to these grants, chargers are now operational in regional communities that support local tourism, small businesses and community service organisations,” Mr Johnston said.
“In the first round, we assisted small and medium businesses, not-for-profits, and local government authorities in installing EV chargers for their customers, clients, and staff.
“This second round introduces faster DC chargers, offering additional benefits to eligible businesses and organisations.”
He said the grants complemented the development of the WA EV Network, which will deliver 98 EV charging stations across 49 locations, from Eucla at the South Australian border to Kununurra.
Charging infrastructure installed through the grants program was “filling in the gaps” of the broader EV Network.
The EV WA Network is delivered by Horizon Power and Synergy, with no more than 200km between each charger.
Chargers were recently installed in Karratha, Exmouth and Kununurra.
“Western Australia's transition to a cleaner, greener electric vehicle future is well underway, with the WA EV Network rolling out across the State,” Mr Johnston said.
The State Government has also announced the contract for Perth’s first electric bus charging station.
After a successful trial in February last year, data showed that the four trial electric buses had carried more than 250,000 passengers over 140,000km, saving
about 230 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
Increasing electric bus charging stations is part of a $250 million joint initiative between the State and Federal Governments to improve electric charging infrastructure.
Federal Transport Minister Catherine King said: “This funding partnership with the Western Australian Government will continue to boost the Perth economy
for years to come by supporting the growth of vibrant urban centres through integrated transport and providing sustainable alternative transport options.”
The contractor, JET Charge, will design, supply, install and commission the electric bus charging infrastructure at Elizabeth Quay bus station.
Under the $1.65 million contract, 18 electric Perth CAT buses will operate once charging infrastructure is installed in early 2024. Services are due to begin by
mid-2024. Each bus will be able to travel around 330km on one charge.
The electric bus charger station will support the WA Government’s plan to reduce its emissions by 80 per cent by 2023.
“We're investing in new electric buses, but also ensuring we have the infrastructure in place to support those electric buses and delivering the facilities so we
can manufacture and build the buses right here in Western Australia,” Transport Minister Rita Saffioti stated.
“Our governments are focused on transitioning our bus fleet to fully electric and this is really important step in making that a reality.
“The move to electric buses is a positive step to emitting fewer greenhouse gases than diesel and natural gas-powered models.”